Liverpool star Raheem Sterling is Roy Hodgson's man of steel

RAHEEM THE STRONG: Raheem Sterling has shown that he is a tought nut [GETTY]

Hodgson gave the winger his debut for Liverpool aged just 15 and eight months in a pre-season game.

Back then, Sterling was slight and easily brushed aside by opponents in the friendly against Borussia Moncehngladbach in Germany.

But after handing Sterling his second England cap in the 1-0 win over Denmark on Wednesday, Hodgson insisted the boy was now very much a man, at the age of 19.

Sterling, who was voted man of the match and came close to scoring his first England goal with a close-range effort which hit the inside of the post, had been a major part of Liverpool’s surprise title challenge this season.

And recalling the day when he handed the schoolkid his debut, Hodgson said: “At the time he was a young slightly-built 15-year-old, with an incredible balance and ability to go past people.

“But as a 15-year-old he was up against men in an important competition and he could get knocked off the ball.

“It has taken a couple of years to have the strength and nous. But don’t misjudge him because he has balance, pace and can go past players. You can’t bully him.

“In the first half he made a couple of incredible challenges. I did say to him and a couple of others ‘don’t be afraid to make mistakes because with your ability and aggression you can make a mistake and with your pace you can get back and put it right’.

“They can recover and they did that a few times.” Hodgson admitted he could still recall vividly the impact the kid Sterling made when he was introduced in the match, which was staged to mark Monchengladbach’s 110th anniversary celebrations at Borussia Park.

In doing so he became Liverpool’s youngest-ever player and Hodgsdon said: “Raheem came on and ‘won’ a penalty in front of 70,000 fans in a friendly - and the ref decided he wouldn’t bother to give it! He actually did get us into it.”

Sterling’s first appearance for England was a starting place in the 4-2 friendly defeat in Sweden in November 2012.

As well as dropping off the international radar, the Jamaica-born Sterling also suffered a blip with Liverpool, scoring just two goals for the club last season and making his last appearance in March, having been troubled with a hip injury.

With allegations about his private life rife, he also was overlooked by Brendan Rodgers for a while this campaign, playing just twice in October and November.

But, of late, he has been flying with shock title challengers Liverpool and already has seven strikes.

FULL OF PRAISE: Roy Hodgson praised the young Liverpool winger [GETTY]

“It has taken a couple of years to have the strength and nous, but don’t misjudge him because he has balance, pace and can go past players, you can’t bully him”

Roy Hodgson

“There was a time three or four months ago when he wasn’t playing for Liverpool,” added Hodgson.

“You could accuse me recognising him, but that wasn’t the case - it was just that he wasn’t playing.

“He is selected now because the last three months he has not only been playing, but he has also been starting.

“You don’t have to be a genius to see that a sterling player like that gets in the squad. He deserves his place in the England squad.”

Hodgson also agreed Sterling, with youth on his side, was playing with no fear for club and country.

“It’s a bit like Luke Shaw,” he added. “For an 18-year-old to come on, after seeing Ashley Cole start, and play so well he deserves a big pat on the back.”

Meanwhilem Hodgson insisted there was no need for midfielder Frank Lampard to start fearing just yet for his England place at the World Cup.

The Chelsea star, who turns 36 at the tournament, was not used on Wednesday, nor was Michael Carrick.

“Frank is no more vulnerable than anyone else,” added Hodgson.

“He will have to accept it in the same way as Carrick will that they were left on the bench because I played Steven Gerrard the whole game.

“If I wished to spare Steve, then those two were obvious choices. But Steven hasn’t got a game at the weekend and was playing so well and there were a lot of young players on the pitch.

“I will gave to make a decision one day. It would be a mistake to start trying to read my mind because I haven’t made up my mind.”